. >> the president of the united states of america, barack obama. >> reporter: president obama came to the charlotte arena with several key points he wanted to convey. including that things were different from the jubilance of four years ago. >> times have changed and so have i. i'm no longer just a candidate. i'm the president. >> reporter: he said there remained much work to do. but the country is on the right track. >> we're getting back to basics. and doing what america's always done best. we are making things again. >> reporter: he jeeringly, sneeringly, suggested mitt romney is not up to being commander in chief. >> you might not be ready for diplomacy in beijing if you can't visit the olympics without insulting our closest ally. >> reporter: and that romney's economic proposals would be a disaster for the middle-class. >> what did bill clinton call it? you do the arithmetic. >> reporter: the man known for his soaring oratory, saved the poetry for the end of his speech. >> america, i never said this journey would be easy, and i won't promise that now. yes, our path is harder, but